Robert A. Dahl
Encyclopedia
Robert Alan Dahl is the Sterling Professor
emeritus of political science
at Yale University
, where he earned his Ph.D. in political science in 1940. He is past president of the American Political Science Association
. Dahl has often been described as "the Dean" of American political scientists.
over the nature of politics in the United States. Mills held that America's governments are in the grasp of a unitary and demographically narrow power elite. Dahl responded that there are many different elites involved, who have to work both in contention and in compromise with one another. If this is not democracy
in a populist
sense, Dahl contended, it is at least polyarchy
(or pluralism
). In perhaps his best known work, Who Governs?
(1961), he examines the power structures (both formal and informal) in the city of New Haven, Connecticut
, as a case study, and finds that it supports this view.
From the late 1960s onwards, his conclusions were challenged by scholars such as G. William Domhoff
and Charles E. Lindblom
(a friend and colleague of Dahl).
In more recent years, Dahl's writings have taken on a more pessimistic tone. In How Democratic Is the American Constitution?
(2001) he argued that the constitution is much less democratic than it ought to be given that its authors were operating from a position of "profound ignorance" about the future. However, he adds that there is little or nothing that can be done about this "short of some constitutional breakdown, which I neither foresee nor, certainly, wish for."
Thus, we can tell which governments are best; the ones that use influence at the higher end of the scale. The worst use the unpleasant forms of influence at the lower end.
In his book, Democracy and Its Critics
(1989), Dahl clarifies his view about democracy. No modern country meets the ideal of democracy, which is as a theoretical utopia. To reach the ideal requires meeting five criteria:
Instead, he calls politically advanced countries "polyarchies". Polyarchies have elected officials, free and fair elections, inclusive suffrage, rights to run for office, freedom of expression, alternative information and associational autonomy. Those institutions are a major advance in that they create multiple centers of political power.
in 1995.
Sterling Professor
A Sterling Professorship is the highest academic rank at Yale University, awarded to a tenured faculty member considered one of the best in his or her field...
emeritus of political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, where he earned his Ph.D. in political science in 1940. He is past president of the American Political Science Association
American Political Science Association
The American Political Science Association is a professional association of political science students and scholars in the United States. Founded in 1903, it publishes three academic journals...
. Dahl has often been described as "the Dean" of American political scientists.
Biography
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he was involved in a dispute with C. Wright MillsC. Wright Mills
Charles Wright Mills was an American sociologist. Mills is best remembered for his 1959 book The Sociological Imagination in which he lays out a view of the proper relationship between biography and history, theory and method in sociological scholarship...
over the nature of politics in the United States. Mills held that America's governments are in the grasp of a unitary and demographically narrow power elite. Dahl responded that there are many different elites involved, who have to work both in contention and in compromise with one another. If this is not democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
in a populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
sense, Dahl contended, it is at least polyarchy
Polyarchy
In modern political science, the term polyarchy was introduced by Robert A. Dahl, now emeritus professor at Yale University, to describe a form of government in which power is vested in three or more persons. This form of government was first implemented in the United States and was gradually...
(or pluralism
Pluralism (political theory)
Classical pluralism is the view that politics and decision making are located mostly in the framework of government, but that many non-governmental groups use their resources to exert influence. The central question for classical pluralism is how power and influence is distributed in a political...
). In perhaps his best known work, Who Governs?
Who Governs?
Who Governs? is an influential book in American political science by Robert Dahl. It was published in 1961 by Yale University Press. Dahl's work is a case study of political power and representation in New Haven, Connecticut...
(1961), he examines the power structures (both formal and informal) in the city of New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, as a case study, and finds that it supports this view.
From the late 1960s onwards, his conclusions were challenged by scholars such as G. William Domhoff
G. William Domhoff
George William Domhoff is a research professor in psychology and sociology at the University of California, Santa Cruz...
and Charles E. Lindblom
Charles E. Lindblom
Charles Edward Lindblom is a Sterling Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Economics at Yale University. He is a former president of the American Political Science Association and the Association for Comparative Economic Studies and also a former director of Yale's Institution for Social...
(a friend and colleague of Dahl).
In more recent years, Dahl's writings have taken on a more pessimistic tone. In How Democratic Is the American Constitution?
How Democratic Is the American Constitution?
How Democratic is the American Constitution? is a book by political scientist Robert A. Dahl that discusses seven "undemocratic" elements of the United States Constitution....
(2001) he argued that the constitution is much less democratic than it ought to be given that its authors were operating from a position of "profound ignorance" about the future. However, he adds that there is little or nothing that can be done about this "short of some constitutional breakdown, which I neither foresee nor, certainly, wish for."
Influence terms
One of Robert Dahl’s many contributions is his explication of the varieties of power, which he defines as “A” getting “B” to do what “A” wants. Dahl prefers the more neutral “influence terms,” (Michael G. Roskin) which he arrayed on a scale from best to worst:- Rational Persuasion, the nicest form of influence, means telling the truth and explaining why someone should do something, like your doctor convincing you to stop smoking.
- Manipulative persuasion, a notch lower, means lying or misleading to get someone to do something.
- Inducement still lower, means offering rewards or punishments to get someone to do something, i.e. like bribery.
- Power threatens severe punishment, such as jail or loss of job.
- Coercion is power with no way out; you have to do it.
- Physical force – is backing up coercion with use or threat of bodily harm.
Thus, we can tell which governments are best; the ones that use influence at the higher end of the scale. The worst use the unpleasant forms of influence at the lower end.
Democracy and polyarchies
-
- See also main article on polyarchyPolyarchyIn modern political science, the term polyarchy was introduced by Robert A. Dahl, now emeritus professor at Yale University, to describe a form of government in which power is vested in three or more persons. This form of government was first implemented in the United States and was gradually...
- See also main article on polyarchy
In his book, Democracy and Its Critics
Democracy and Its Critics
Democracy and Its Critics is a book in American political science, written by Robert Dahl. The book was published by Yale University Press in 1989...
(1989), Dahl clarifies his view about democracy. No modern country meets the ideal of democracy, which is as a theoretical utopia. To reach the ideal requires meeting five criteria:
- Effective participation
Citizens must have adequate and equal opportunities to form their preference and place questions on the public agenda and express reasons for one outcome over the other. - Voting equality at the decisive stage
Each citizen must be assured his or her judgments will be counted as equal in weights to the judgments of others. - Enlightened understanding
Citizens must enjoy ample and equal opportunities for discovering and affirming what choice would best serve their interests. - Control of the agenda
Demos or people must have the opportunity to decide what political matters actually are and what should be brought up for deliberation. - Inclusiveness
Equality must extend to all citizens within the stateState (polity)A state is an organized political community, living under a government. States may be sovereign and may enjoy a monopoly on the legal initiation of force and are not dependent on, or subject to any other power or state. Many states are federated states which participate in a federal union...
. Everyone has legitimate stake within the political process.
Instead, he calls politically advanced countries "polyarchies". Polyarchies have elected officials, free and fair elections, inclusive suffrage, rights to run for office, freedom of expression, alternative information and associational autonomy. Those institutions are a major advance in that they create multiple centers of political power.
Prizes
Dahl was awarded the Johan Skytte Prize in Political ScienceJohan Skytte Prize in Political Science
The Johan Skytte Prize in Political Science was established in 1995 by the Johan Skytte Foundation at Uppsala University. The foundation itself goes back to the donation in 1622 from Johan Skytte , politician and chancellor of the university, which established the Skyttean professorship of...
in 1995.
Criticism
- Sociologist G. William DomhoffG. William DomhoffGeorge William Domhoff is a research professor in psychology and sociology at the University of California, Santa Cruz...
strongly disagrees with Dahl's view of power in New Haven, CT in the 1960s: "Who Really Ruled in Dahl's New Haven?" - Political philosopher Charles BlattbergCharles BlattbergCharles Blattberg is a professor of political philosophy at the Université de Montréal. Blattberg grew up in Toronto and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, where he also served as president of its Students’ Administrative Council during the 1989–90 academic...
has criticized Dahl's attempt to define democracy with a set of necessary and sufficient conditions.